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Paris is one of the most romantic cities in the world, noted for its cultural achievements and its colourful history spanning two and a half millennia. The best way to see this beautiful city is on foot, either through one of the many walking tours offered by companies throughout the city or by taking a self-guided tour of the City of Lights alone or in a small group. Here are the highlights of three of the best Paris walks for visitors to this glamorous city. The heart of Paris is the famed Ile de la Cité, one of two natural islands in the Seine and a centre for religious observance for centuries. The Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris, better known as the Notre-Dame Cathedral, was built on the site of a previous church that, in turn, was built upon the ruins of an ancient pagan place of worship. Thus, it makes a perfect starting point for a walking tour of Paris religious sites. The cathedral itself is well worth a lengthy visit, with an elaborate façade and numerous statues of saints and apostles as well as many other relics and antiquities. Continuing along the walk, tourists will encounter the Church of St. Séverin, a gothic structure with short spires and several impressive gargoyles. Finally, travellers will arrive at the Sainte-Chapelle, a beautiful glass cathedral built for King Louis IX in 1248 and presenting 6,500 square feet of stained glass tableaus from biblical and other sources, making this a truly spectacular conclusion to the walk. Toulouse-Lautrec immortalised Montmartre in paintings depicting street life, cabarets, and circus folk; today, it retains much of that eclectic, offbeat charm. A walk through Montmartre will take travellers to the Espace Dalí Montmartre where they can experience the surreal artwork designed by this masterful painter; the gallery boasts 300 original works by Dalí in its small space. Walking along the Place du Tertre, visitors will enjoy an open-air street fair complete with artists offering to sketch portraits and various restaurants catering to the tourist trade. The Musée Montmartre is a fitting end for this art-themed tour, since it once served as home to artists including Renoir, van Gogh, and Suzanne Valadon and now displays mementos of this storied past. The Place de la Bastille is the perfect starting point for a tour of revolutionary Paris. In 1789, the Bastille was attacked by an angry mob, setting off the powder keg that became the French Revolution. Today, nothing remains of the fortress, but the site remains a symbol of the bloodshed and the principles upheld. Another crucial stop on this walking tour is the Hôtel le Peletier de St-Fargeau, once one of the most elegant hotels in Paris. It is named after its former owner, who is considered primarily responsible for Louis XVI being sentenced to death, and today is used for office buildings. Finally, a stop at one of the Paris hotels most associated with the French Revolution is in order; the Hôtel de Rohan is named after the fourth Cardinal Rohan, who was involved in the diamond necklace scandal that helped to ignite public hatred for Marie Antoinette and her excesses. The Hôtel de Rohan is open for exhibits; call ahead to ensure it is open on the day of the walk.
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